Roofing



nFan. 27., R925.

L. M. FORD ROOFING y 4, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet l Fi1 ed Ma L. M. FORD ROOFING Filed YMay 4,

1922 '7 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Jame 27. 1925.

L. M. FORD ROOFING Filed May 4, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 W/r/Vfss. I

L. M. FORD Jan. 27 1925.

ROOFING Filed M ay 4, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A77 rop/Vf y Jan. 27. 1925. w 1,524,125

L. M. FORD ROOFING Filpd May 4, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 L. M. FURD ROOFING Figed May 4 1922 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Jan. 27, 1925.

v'marmo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS M. FORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.; CONTINENTAL AND COMMERCIAL TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID LOUIS M. FORD,- DECEASED, ASSIGNOR 'TO FORD ROOFING PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F ILLINOIS. v

Application filed May 4,'

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS M. FORD, a citizen of the. United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois,

haveJ invented, certain new and useful Improvements in Roofing, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to improvements in rooting and roofing materials,

l0 but relates more particularly to improvements in so-called composition roofing.

Composition roofing is extensively used and it is applied in three general methods, that is to say, in sheet form, in the form of strips cut to simulate shingles, and as individual shingle slabs or units. .It is generally desired to simulate the appearance of a roof composed of individual shingles, and to this end the sheet material in roll form is often printed with a shingle-like design. Roofing material in sheet form can be applied quickly, covers the roof with less material, and hence is the least expensive of the types of rooting mentioned. Its Hat appearance, however, is undesirable, and bars it from use for 'residential or other purposes where appearance. is an important facto-r. The strip shingle and the individual shingle units, as heretofore devised, approximate the appearance desired, although as a rule. they do not present a butt portion of sutlicient thickness to provide the necessary depth of shadow to break the flat appearance of the roof. l Considering the individual shingles and strip shingle, constuctions, as heretofore devised, from the functional view-point they are open to objection upon a number of grounds. In a strong Wind for example, that part of the shingle that is laid to the weather will often be raised or lifted by the wind, thus causing a flapping of the shingles which is not only annoying to the occupants of the. building, but when the wind is accompanied by rain permits the rain to drive under the shingles sufficiently to cause roof leakage, at times. To overcome this defect or to minimize itthe flap portions of the shingle must be relatively short so that an abnormally large amount of material is required to cover a given roof area. It should be understood that'composition roofing ma- ROOFING.

1922. Serial No. 558,469.

ferial does not have the rigidity of a wooden shingle and also that it is' usually composed, at least in part, of an asphaltic material which causes the rigidity of the shingle to vary 1n accordance to atmospheric conditions. At times some composition roof shingles of the individual or strip type will curl up at the edges, not only presenting an unsightly appearance but also enabling the elements to penetrate to some extent.

y The general object of my invention is to provide a composition roof which shall present the appearance ot' individual units, but which shall be water and weather tight under the different conditions met with in use.

lt is also an object of my invention to provide aI composition roof presenting an individual shingle appearance wherewith a larger roof area can be covered With a smaller amount of material.

Again it is an object of my invention to provide a composition roofing product that can be laid quickly and easily and wherewith the shingles of one course can be interlocked with those of an adjacent course.

l aim also to lprovide a fundamental shingleunit or shape that can be applied as single individual shingles or which, if desired, can be duplicated to provide a plurality of fundamental units in stripform for application to a roof.

i not-her object of my invention is to provide a composition roof of such construction that a thickened butt port-ion is ob'- tained, to the end that the appearance of the roof may be enhanced, in a simple and easy manner and with the use of a small amount of additional material.

A further object of my invention is to provide4 a fundamental shingle unit, the contour, size or shape of which may be changed to present or form roofs of different appearances without affecting the fundamental adventages of the shingle unit. i

My invention consists generally in a shingle unit of the form, shape, size and relative disposition of the various portions thereof, as well as in the. method of applying said shingles to the roof, whereby the above named objects, together with other-s y that will appear hereinafter are attained; and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which ilustrates what I consider, at the present time, to be the preferred embodiment thereof. l

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a fundamental or basic shingle unit embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a face view of a portion of roof built u' by the use of shingle units of the' form s own in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 33 ofFig. 2.

Flg. 4 is a face view Aof a shingle strip embodying a plurality of fundamental or basic units.

Fig. 5 is a face view of a portion of the roof built up by using the strip product shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a ace view of a fundamental shingle unit of slightly different contour.

Fig. 8 is a face view of a roof built up by using the shingle units shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Flg. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, -but illustrating a shingle. unit of slightly different contour.

Fig. 11 is a face View of a roof built up by using the units of Fig. 10.

` Fig. 12 is a detail section-al view substantially along the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

F1g`. 13 is a face view of a roof embodying a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional View substantially on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a view of strip element that is used in the roof construction shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

Fig. 16 is a face view of a fundamental or basic shingle unit of modified form embodying my invention.

Fig. 17 illustrates a plurality of strip members that are used in that form of my invention shown in Figs. 20 and 21.

Fig. 18 is a'plan view showing the various parts illustrated in Fig. 17 assembled.

Fig. 19 is an 'edge view of the assembled strips shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 2() is a fragmentary face view of a roof utilizing the assembled structure shown. in Figs. 18 and 19.

Fig 21' is a detailed sectional view on an enlarged scale, substantially on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a face view of a. shingle unit of modied form embodying my invention.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary face view of a roof composed of units of the form shown in ig. 24 is a face view of another form of Shingle unit embodying my invention.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary face viewof a roof utilizing units of the form shown in Fig. 24; and

Fig. 26 is a detail edge view on an enlarged scale, viewed substantially along the Aline 26-26 of Fig. 25.

While a`number of shingle units of different shapes are provided, they all embody will be termed a iap portion 2. The body portion 1 is provided at one end with a somewhat triangularly shaped tongue portion 3, and at the other end with a cutaway corner portion 4; the cut-away corner portion 4 departing from the rectangular outline of the body portion of the shingle the same distance that the portion 3 departs from such basic rectan le. This construction permits cutting of t e shingle unit from the stock without wastage.

The fiap portion 2 is provided with a cut or slot 5 (the cut extending entirely through the material) which cut 1s disposed angularly thereon, in the present instance making the same angle with respect to the end por tions of the body portion of the unit that the outer end of the tongue 3 does, except that it extends in an opposite direction.

The flap portion 2, as here shown is provided with inclined end edges 6 and 7 for the presentation of an ornamental geometric outline in the finished roof. In applying the shingle, one course of shingle units is applied and then the next course is applied thereover, the shingle unit being shifted longitudinally of the roof, however, so that the ends of the shingles of the superposed course shall terminate 0n the vertical medial lines of the shingles of the first mentioned course. This, obviously, brings the tongue portions 3 of the first course adjacent the slot or slit 5 of the superposed course and, as a matter of fact, in applying the superposed course, the portion 8 adjacentthe slit 5 is pressed down to permit the tongue portion 3 of the under shingle to enter and pass throu h the slot 5 so that the tongue portion 3 w11l repose upon the upper side or face of the flap portion 2. Alternate courses are shifted in like manner and the various tongue portions are slipped through the slots of the adjacent iap portions. In this manner the various shingle units of the different courses are all interlocked, thus providing a construction which very effectnally prevents fiapping of the shingles; makes a roof that is waterproof under all conditions of weather; and also provides a construction in which a larger portion of the shingle can be successfully exposed to the Weather, thus reducing the amount of material required to covera given area. It will, of course, be understood that the shingles are secured to the roof boards of the building by means of nails or other fastening devices, that pass through the bod portion of the shingle, but since this metho of fastening is well known no. description thereof will here be given.

The reason that more of the shingle may be successfully exposed to the Weather resides in the novel construction of the unit and its interlocking relation with its fellows. 1n composition shingle roofs heretofore devised the part of the shingle tliat causes trouble is the liap portion, being that portion -that is .exposed to the weather. -Such flap portions often whip, curl, or are otherwise defiected from their proper position on the roof with the result that the Water and Weatherproof character of the roof is impaired. Qb viously, the longer the lap portion the more danger of its flapping or whipping in use. With my roofing, however, this is not the case because the extreme outer portions of the flaps are, in effect, interlocked with the body portion of the sub-lying shingle. r1`he iap portion is therefore positively held at its extreme outer edge or end against such Happing, with the result that the objections before referred to are entirely overcome. At the same time, more of the shingle can be successfully exposed to the weather, if desired, thus reducing the material necessary to cover a given area. My construction also permits the use of a thinner and more iiexible shingle, if desired, which further reduces the amount of material necessary to cover a given roof area.

The interlocking of the Hap portion ad# jacent the outer edge can be readily accomplished by depressing the flap portion 8 While the tongue portion 3 of the sub-lying shingle enters the slot by virture of the longitudinal movement of the superposed shingle toward the said tongue portion 3.

Considering now Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it Will be observed that the basic unit is multiplied to provide what may be termed a plurality of units or a multipleunit strip. In the present instance the body portion 10 istwice as long as the body portion of the basic unit and there is provided two spaced flap portions 11 and 12 each of Which'has the same general shape as the fiap portion 2 before described, and which are provided with slits or cuts`13 and 14, respectively, that cor-V respond to the slit or cut 5 of Fig. 1. A tongue portion 15 extends from one end of the body portion and the other end is cut away as indicated at 16, these parts corre- 'sponding to the tongue 3 and cut-away portion4 of Fig.1. The body portion 10 is likewise cut as indicated at 17 to provide a tongue-like portion 18 so that the strip will be composed of two complete portions, each of which is equivalent to the basic unit. In

laying the strips they are superposed in the manner described with respect to Figs. 1 to 3, each course being shifted longitudinally half the distance of one of the basic units so that the parts will interlock, ai described with respect to Figs. 1 to 3. Ther same advantageous characteristics are found in thc strip form and the additional advantage that they may be applied more quickly.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a construction in which the basic unit is composed of a body portion 2O which is similar to the body portion of the form shown in Fig. 1, being provided with tongue portion 21 and cut-away portion 22. rlhe flap portion 23, however, is of rectangular shape and of a length substantially equal to half of the total length of the body portion. As here shown the flap portion also extends a greater distance away, from the body portion than is the case With the forms earlier described. The result 'is that in the roof more of the body portion is exposed. The tongue is provided with a cut or slit 24 which functions as the slit 5 of the form shown in Fig. 1. The shingles are laid in the manner already described, but as is well shown in Fig. 8 considerably more of each unit is exposed to the Weather than is the case with respect to the constructions previously described. With this construction the amount of rooting material required to cover a given surface 1s enormously reduced, and at the same time, due to the interlocking construction, there is little danger of flapping or deflection of the shingle flap portions. proof roof is alivays ensured. v

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a construction similar to the one shown in Figs. 7, 8

Therefore a Weatherand 9, but the Hap portion 25 is smaller, be-

ing approximately one-third the length of the body portion 26. This arrangement, it will be observed, provides in the finished roofa series of T'sl1aped outlines which presenta novel appearance and at the same time, exposes a greater portion of the shingle unit to the Weather. In other words, less material is necessary to cover a given area.

While all of the forms of my invention, thus far described, somewhat accentuate the butt portion of the shingle in the completed roof, and to this extent improve the appearance thereof, l have .conceived a very novel Way of very greatly accentuating the butt portions of the shingle units Which'idea yis illustrated in'Figs. 13,14 and 15. The

shingle units may be of any of the forms purpose in mind a strip of material such as is shown in Fig. 15, and which bears the reference character 27 is provided for each shingle unit. This strip may vary in size, but where the unit isy as shown in Fig. 1 and Where the overall length of the rectangular body portion is sixteen inches, its overall width ten inches, and the depth of the flap portion approximately three and one-fourth inches. a strip 'seven inches in length is sufficient. The Width of the strip 27 may be `likcwise varied, but I find that a strip an. inch in Width is satisfactory. One strip 27 is placed as indicated under each shingle Hap portion being symmetrically disposed with respect to the interlocking portions of the upper and lower strips. The placement. of the strip in this position gives an additional layer of material which is exposedto view and which forms a very pronounced butt portion giving very deep shadow effects that enhance'greatly the appearance of the root. At the same time, the additional material required to secure this eiiect is very little, indeed.

' While I prefer the unitconstr'ction of the form heretofore described, because of certain inherent advantages, it need not necessarily take that shape and in Fig. 16 I have shown a fundamental shingle unit embodying my invention and whichis of a modified form. It is composed of a body portion 28,'

Hap portion' 29 which may correspond generally to the body and flap portions previously described. The tongueportion 30,

- however, instead of being of triangular shape is a' rectangular tab and, of course, the cut-away portion 31 is likewise of rectangular shape. To receive the rectangular tab the slit or cut 32 in the iap portion 29 is a vertical one. I- have not deemed it necessary to illustrate Vthe shingles assembled to y form a roof because it should be obvious from the description already given how these arts will intert. Y

In t at form of my invention disclosed in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 a single strip of material is utilized to accentuate the butt portion of the shingle. For some purposes, however, it is desirable to further accentuate the apparent thickness 'of the butt of the shingle, and to this end I may employ a plurality of strips. When a plurality of strips isemployed some thereof are preferably providedt with tabend portions that are angularly disposed with relation to the body portion of the strip. Thus in Fig. 17, 27 is a strip member that corresponds to the strip member 27 of Fig. 15. 27 is a strip member which has a body portion substantially equal in size to the strip 27 but which in addition isprovided 'with end tabs Aor extensions 27, the purpose of which will shortly appear.' 27 is another strip similar to the strip 27', but having longer end tab portions 27. When all three ofthe members 27, 27', and 27 are to be used, the strip 27" is placed on -27 and 27 will have end tab tion illustrated in Fi 20 is viewed, not only dol the lower edges ot the flaps ot' the respective shingles appear to have thickened body portions, but the same effect is carried around to the side edges of the adjacent single flap portions.

While three strip portions are shown in Figs 18 to 21, it should be understood that a greater or smaller number may be employed. It should also be understood that if desired simply a single strip 27" or a single strip 27 may be used. Again it may be well to state that Where the Hap portions of the shingle are of rectangular outline as shown in Figs. 7, 8, 10, 11, and 16 the strips ortions that will extend at right angles to t 1e body portions of the strip instead of at the angle shown in Fig. 17.

In Fig. 22 I have illustrated a shingle unit of a slightl different form embodying my invention. t comprises a body portion 34 and a fiap portion 35. The body portion 34 is provided with a tongue-like extension or tab 36 and the flap portion 35 is provided with spaced cuts or slits 37 and 38. The shingle units are assembled generally as described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2, except that the tongue extension 36 passes from the underside of the unit upwardly through the slit 37 and thence downwardly through the slit 38 so that the tongue 36 lies over the strip portion 39 formed by the two slits 37 and 38. As clearly appears in Fig. 23 the extreme end portion of the tongue 36 is thus disposed under the fiap portion of the adj a- 'cent shingle, thus forming a tighter interlock. It will be obvious that the double slit construction is applicable to the various forms of my invention so that` no detailed description or showing thereof is deemed necessary.

Figs. 24,' 25 and 26, illustrate a. still further modification of my invention. In this construction the shingle units are composed of a body portion 40 and a flap r tion 41. The flap portion 41 is provided with a slit or cut which, 'as here shown, is composed f a portion 42 which is parallel to the lower edge of the shingle and an inclined slit portion 43, thus forming a tongue portion 44. The body portion `of the shin le in the present construction is not provi ed with a tongue portion. In assembling the shingles they are assembled in the general manner discribcd with respect to l* igs. l and 2, except that the corner portion 40 of tht` body ot' the shingle is inserted into the slit instead of the tongue like extension shown in the other modifications. rlhus, as is well shown in Fig. 25, the corner portion 40 ot the adjacent lower course lies upon the upper side of the portion '44 ot the adjacent upper course. ,lt should be obvious that the interlocking construction or method disclosed in Figs. Q4 to Q6, inclusive. may be utilized in any ot' the previously described forms of my invention. j

The many advantages of my invention will appear to those skilled in this art without further comment.

I claim 1. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit including a body portion and a flap portion` said flap portion having a slit which opens through its bottom edge and which is adapted to receive a part of one end of the body of another shingle unit.

2. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit composed ot a body portion and a flap portion, the body portion being provided with a projecting portion and the flap portion being pro-vided with a slit for the reception of the projecting portion of another shingle.

3. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit having a body portion, and a flap portion, said body portion having' a tongue-like portion at one end, and said' flap being provided with a slit at its lower side as and Jfor the purpose specified.

4. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit including a body portion yand a flap portion, said flap portion having a centrally arranged, angularly disposed slit which opens through the bottom edge of each flap and is adapted to receive a part of one end of the body ot another shingle unit.

5. A roof composed of shingle units having body portions and l'lap portions, the body portions having projections at their ends and the flap portions being provided with slits at their lower sides, the said shingle units being arranged in overlapping courses and the projections of the body portions entering the slits of the adjacent contiguous overlapping shingle units.

6. A strip shingle comprising a body portion and a plurality of flap portions, said body portion being provided with a projectin portion, and said flap portions each being provided with a slit as and for the purpose specified.

7.. A strip shingle comprising a body portion and a plurality of flap portions, said body portion being provided with a projecting portion and said flap portions each being provided with an angularly disposed slit as and for the purpose specified.

8. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit comprising an elongated rectangular bod).Y portion and a centrally disposed Hap along one ot its longer edges, said flap having one edge parallel with the longer edges of said body portion, there being a slit in said flap which opens through that edge thcreotf which is parallel with said longer edges of the body and which is adapted to receive a part ot' one end ot the body of another shingle unit.

9. A root composed of shingle units having body and flap portions, each flap portion having a slit therein adapted to receive an end part ol" a contiguous shingle unit, said shingle units being arranged in overlapping courses, and strip members arranged between the flap portions of one course and the body portion of the under course and being symmetrically disposed with reference to said flap portions.

10. As an article ot manufacture, a shingle unit having a body portion provided with a tongue-like extension and a flap portion, the flap portion being provided with a plurality of slits as and for the purpose specified.

11. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit composed of a body portion` and a `flap portion, the flap portion having a plurality of slits which open'through the bottom edge and are adapted to receive a part ot one end of the body portion of an.- other shingle unit.

12. A roof composed of shingle units having 'body and flap portions, each flap portion having a slit therein adapted to receive i an end part of a contiguous shingle unit, said shingleunits being arranged in overlapping courses, and a plurality of strip members having angularly disposed portions thereon arranged between the Hap portions oi' one course and the body portions of another course and being symmetrically dsposed with reference to said flap portions.

13. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit com rising a body portion and a plurality of ap portions projecting beyond one edge ot said body portion, said body portion having a slit therein which opens through said edge between the flap portions, each flap portion also having a slit therein which opens through its bottom edge to receive a'lower corner portion of another shingie unit.

14. As an article of manufacture, a shingle unit comprising a body portion and a plurality of flap portions projecting be ond shingle unit, and the slit in the second i-ap 'portion being adapted to receive an intermediate part of said body of said second shingle unit adjacent the slit `between its flap portions.

15. An as article of manufacture, a shingle unit comprising a body portion and a plurality of flap portions along one edge thereof which are spaced from the ends of said body and from each other, said body portion having a slit therein which extends parallel with a part of the end edges of said body, each flap portion also .having a slit therein which opens through its bottoni edge, the slit in one flap portion being adapted to receive one of the end corners ot' a second shingle unit beyond its flap p ortions, and the slit inthe second flap portion being adapted to receive an intermediate part of the body of said second shingle unit adjacent the slit between its flap portions.

16.' As an' article of manufacture, a shingle unit comprising a body portion7 and a plurality of flap portions projecting beyond one edge of said body portion, said body portion having a slit therein which opens through said edge/between the flap portions,

each flap portion also having a slit therein which opens through its bottom edge, the slits in said body portion and in said flap portions extending at relatively different angles, the slit in one Hap portion heilig adapted to receive one end part of the body of a second shingle unit andthe slit in the second flap portion being adapted t receive an intermediate part of said body of said second sl'iiiigle unit adjacent the slit between its flap poitions.

17. A. roof composed of overlapping courses of shingle units, each having a body portion and more than one flap portion pro jecting beyondvone edge thereof, each body portion having a slit therein which opens througlrsad edge between said flap portions, eacli flap portion also having a slit 'therein which opens through its bottoni edge, the slit in one flap portion of one shin gle unit receiving one end pait of a shingle iinit in'tlie'course below and the slit in a second iiap -poi'tioii receiving an interniefdiate part of tl'iebodyvlv of said shingle unit of said course below adjacent 'the slit which opens through its bottoni edge and the slit in said body portion of the lirst mentioned shingle unit interlocking with a slit iii one -7' of the iap portions of a superposed course. In testimony' whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 24th day of April, A. D. 1922.

LOUIS M. FORD. 

